Smart communication device or apparatus for collecting and evaluating information about equipment distributed over a large area, e.g., over a large industrial plant or oil field

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided having a smart communication device having a processor configured to: receive signaling containing information about sensed data from a multiplicity of data collectors each associated with a respective piece of equipment and configured to collect the sensed data related to the respective piece of equipment when the smart communication device is moved within a predefined proximity to automatically connect with each data collector to receive the signaling during movement of the smart communication device on a programmed route having multiple pieces of equipment; and determine corresponding signaling containing information about prioritized sensed data related to each of the multiplicity of data collectors for operating an app in the processor, based upon the signaling received. The smart communication device includes an iPad, a smart phone, a laptop or a subsystem of a vehicle/robot. The apparatus may include the vehicle/robot having the subsystem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This application relates to a technique for collecting and evaluatinginformation about equipment distributed over a large area, e.g., over alarge industrial plant or oil field; and more particularly relates to atechnique for further processing such collected and evaluatedinformation using a processor or processing module to determine thehealth/operability of the equipment.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

By way of example, FIG. 1 shows an oil field having industrial oilrigs/equipment distributed over a vast oil field landscape that each mayinclude one or more condition monitoring devices to monitor parametersrelated to a respective industrial oil rig. Other known facilities mayhave equipment distributed in hazardous locations that each may includeone or more such condition monitoring devices and do not have WIFIaccess throughout the facility. In these types of distributed industrialequipment arrangements, evaluation of equipment health data generallycan be difficult, and in some cases may require a so-called ‘walkaround’ to collect data and inspect the equipment. In such cases,collection can be time consuming, and require close proximity for lowsignal strength radio communications or a physical connection to a datacollector associated with the equipment.

Data collection and evaluation technology are known in non-industrialapplications for health monitoring—like the fitbit or internetnetworking, but such technology has not been applied to distributedindustrial equipment arrangements.

One problem in the industry is that there is no known technique thatallows for easily collecting and evaluating such equipment health data,e.g., in such distributed industrial equipment arrangements over vastlocations with limited internet connectivity, e.g., like a largeindustrial plant or an oil field. In view of this, there is a need inthe industry for such a collecting and evaluating technique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and unique way to automate theprocess for collecting and evaluating such equipment health data. Thepresent invention may takes the form of (1) a smart device utility,e.g., including a process of connection and extracting relevant data;(2) a smart device app design, e.g., including a human facing interfacefor providing an interactive look and feel; and (3) a robotic walkaround device, e.g., including where no human interaction is required toautomatically connect, collect and evaluate such equipment health data.

Moreover, the present invention provides a smart walk-around utilitydevice or tool for walk-around scanning that includes the integration ofwalk around activity with a smart communication device; andautomatically manage connection activity based upon relevant datacollection parameters. By way of example, embodiment are envisioned inthe fields of equipment monitoring in relation to pumps, planes, trains,windmills, etc.

Moreover still, the present invention provides a walk aroundfunctionality for implementing in a mobile application, e.g., on a smartcommunication device or an Alert walk-around tool specifically tailorfor this application; and mobile application screens and associatedmobile application functionality for implementing the walk around thatmay be a component of an app, or may be a completely separate app.

DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of the discussion herein, the following terms aredefined and summarized, as follows:

-   -   Walk Around—A process of moving from equipment-to-equipment for        physical inspection of machinery and collection of data that can        indicate the current and future health of each        machine/equipment.    -   Participant—A human, or human controlled vehicle (drone, car),        or a robot (autonomous) which has access to a smart        communication device. The participant's role is to collect data        and take action on the equipment if action is required.    -   Smart Communication Device—Phones, laptops, or subsystems of        vehicles/robots, etc. Defined by the ability to perform generic        processing and ability to convert data into a meaningful format        for a Participant.    -   Trend—Historical data comprised of equipment status, raw data or        analytics stored on a data collector and able to be accessed by        a participant.    -   Analytics—Processed sensor data that reduces raw signal        information into relevant features. E.g. RMS, FFT, Status.    -   Surface Data—Data that is easily accessible from a data        collector (e.g. advertised) and does not require a paired        connection to access. Surface data can include raw or analyzed        sensor data, equipment status, manufacturing information,        software/firmware versions, etc. Anything that helps determine        relevance/priority of a connection.

SUMMARY OF BASIC FUNCTIONALITY

According to the present invention, the technique according to thepresent invention may include, or take the form of, some combination ofthe following features:

By way of example, a server or a user may identify relevant data forcollection from a walk around of the equipment on a specific route. Forexample, the relevant data may include search parameters of a datacollector to ‘look’ for in a future data acquisition (e.g., updates forfuture relevant data); data to collect from historical data on a datacollector (e.g., a previous set of relevant data), including surfacedata (e.g., so-called Alert terminology=advertising packet) orhistorical data (e.g., so-called Alert terminology=trend, regularlyscheduled FFT's); or a participant/user's request for immediateprocessing of associated data when reaching a proximity to the dataacquisition device (i.e., immediate data evaluation to determine if theparticipant's interaction with the machine is necessary). For example,upon reaching some proximity, a participant determines if the equipmentis running, and if running, perform an FFT (if equipment is running),and send the FFT into a diagnostic algorithm for evaluation.Alternatively, for example, upon reaching some proximity, a participantcaptures surface date and if the device/equipment is in alarm condition,then the participant connects for historical (trend) data.

By way of example, a participant carrying the smart communication devicemay arrive in proximity to a data collector associated with a piece ofequipment. The smart communication device and data acquisition devicemay automatically communicate to identify, e.g., relevant data to uploadto the participant's device from the data acquisition device, datarequests from the Smart Communication Device may be sent (e.g., Raw dataand analysis), and/or update the data acquisition device on theequipment to look for relevant data in relation to the piece ofequipment. In addition, the smart communication device may be configuredto manage a walk around completion in order to Identify data acquisitiondevices on pieces of equipment in need of pairing, and/or identify dataacquisition devices that may have been ‘skipped’ from a region of a walkaround.

By way of example, the smart communication device may manage thedownload and upload process based upon priority, e.g., including wherethe participant may only be ‘passing through’ with limited connectivityso limited data would be transmitted; data collection would also beprioritized based upon the information that the participant or serverwishes to collect in priority to other datasets; and/or completion ofcommunication may be tracked and statused for the participant (forinstance, so that the participant knows whether to continue with walkaround or not).

By way of example, the smart communication device may be configured tomanage the participant's experience, e.g., based upon limited bandwidththat may exist between the smart communication device and dataacquisition device(s) or the participant's ability to respond to databased upon feedback from a machine/equipment. In the case of limitedbandwidth, the smart communication device may to configured to implementa smart device priorities download, such that the most relevant dataarrives to the participant the fastest; organize downloads fromdifferent equipment; organize the priority of information from eachdevice; and/or optimize the download for the greatest data in the leastamount of time. In the case of the participant's ability to respond todata based upon feedback from the machine/equipment, the smartcommunication device may be configured to identify issues that requiresfurther data, inspection, or actions, and/or take action in anycombination between the smart communication device, the participant, andthe server.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

According to some embodiments, the present invention may take the formof apparatus, e.g., including a smart communication device, having aprocessor configured to:

-   -   receive signaling containing information about sensed data from        a multiplicity of data collectors each associated with a        respective piece of equipment and configured to collect the        sensed data related to the respective piece of equipment when        the smart communication device is moved within a predefined        proximity to automatically connect with each data collector to        receive the signaling during movement of the smart communication        device on a programmed route having multiple pieces of        equipment; and    -   determine corresponding signaling containing information about        sensed data related to each of the multiplicity of data        collectors for operating an app in the processor, based upon the        signaling received.

The present invention may also include one or more of the followingfeatures:

The smart communication device may include, or take the form of, aniPad, a smart phone, a laptop, a subsystem of a vehicle/robot, a tablet,as well as any smart communication device that is now known or laterdeveloped in the future.

The apparatus may include, or takes the form of, a robotic deviceconfigured to move from equipment-to-equipment on the programmed routeto gather the sensed data, including where the robotic device is ahuman-controlled robot or drone.

The processor may be configured to automatically pair with each datacollector to receive the signaling during the movement of the smartcommunication device (aka a “walk around”) on the programmed route,including by implementing a short distance wireless communicationprotocol.

The sensed data may include some combination of surface data in the formof advertised packets, historical data in the form of trend, orregularly scheduled Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs), or immediate dataneeds of a participant.

The processor may be configured to determine if the respective piece ofequipment is running, and if so, then perform analytics such as RMS oran FFT to be used in a diagnostic evaluation.

The processor may be configured to capture surface data, and if therespective piece of equipment is in an alarm state, then connect forhistorical (trend) data or immediate analytics.

The processor may be configured to communicate with a respective datacollector associated with a respective piece of equipment to identifyrelevant data to upload to the smart communication device, provide datarequests and update the respective data collector associated with therespective piece of equipment for relevant data for which to look.

The processor is configured to provide associated signaling tocommunicate with a respective data collector associated with arespective piece of equipment to identify any respective data collectorassociated with any respective piece of equipment in need of pairing orthat may have been skipped from a region of the walk around on theprogrammed route.

The processor may be configured to provide associated signaling to adata collector in order to prioritize download functionality so that themost relevant data arrives at the smart communication device thefastest, organizes download functionality from different equipment,organizes the priority of information from each data collector, andoptimizes download functionality for receiving the most data in theleast amount of time.

The processor may be configured to perform signaling processingfunctionality associated with the signaling received and determined fordisplaying information on the screen as part of the app for running oroperating on the smart communication device.

The app may include route check functionality, including providing alist of all programmed routes available, a summary of information aboutthe programmed routes, or an editing of a pre-existing programmed route.The summary of information about the programmed routes may include anindication of a completion percentage (%), alarm information during aparticular route, the ability to add or program a new route, or theability to search for a specific programmed route or piece of equipment.

The app may include displaying an add new route screen for allowing auser to add a new route having new pieces of equipment, includingproviding one or more prompts requesting a new route name and a desiredorder of equipment on the new route.

The app may include displaying a route options screen for allowing auser to provide a report related to one or more programmed routes, aperiod for checking the one or more programmed routes, and a check duenotification warning related to one or more programmed routes.

The app may include displaying a route check screen for allowing a userto check a specific route, including providing information about devicesin an alarm condition on the specific route and about alert devices onthe specific route.

The app may include displaying a route report screen for allowing a userto generate a route report for a specific route, including providinginformation about devices in an alarm condition on the specific routeand about alert devices on the specific route.

The processor may also be configured to provide the correspondingsignaling containing information about the prioritized sensed datarelated to each of the multiplicity of data collectors, consistent withthat set forth herein.

The processor may also be configured to provide associated signaling toone or more of the multiplicity of data collectors, e.g., containinginformation about how to adapt respective prioritized sensed datarelated to each of the one or more of the multiplicity of datacollectors that will be provided to the smart communication device,consistent with that set forth herein.

The smart communication device may include a memory for storing one ormore databases, and the processor configured to store the programmedroute in the database of the memory.

The present invention may also take the form of a method for running anapp on a smart communication device having a processor and a memory forstoring a database, comprising steps for receiving in the processorsignaling containing information about sensed data from a multiplicityof data collectors each associated with a respective piece of equipmentstored in a programmed route in the database of the memory andconfigured to collect the sensed data related to the respective piece ofequipment when the smart communication device is moved within apredefined proximity to automatically connect or pair with each datacollector to receive the signaling during movement of the smartcommunication device on the programmed route having multiple pieces ofequipment distributed over a vast industrial, commercial or residentialspace; and determining with the processor corresponding signalingcontaining information about the sensed data related to each of themultiplicity of data collectors on the programmed route, based upon thesignaling received. The method may also include one or more of thefeatures set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing includes the following Figures:

FIG. 1 shows an oil field having industrial oil rigs distributed over avast oil field landscape.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of apparatus that includes a smartcommunication device having a memory and a database and a processor forimplementing the signal processing functionality according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A shows a basic walk-around concept for a mobile application (aka“an app”) going from point A to point B via a route check procedure forcollecting and evaluating information about equipment distributed over alarge area, according to some embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B shows an access screen for the app, according to some embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3C shows a route screen for the app, according to some embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3D shows an add new route screen for the app, according to someembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3E shows a route option/setting screen for the app, according tosome embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3F shows a route screen for the app, according to some embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3G shows a report page screen for the app, according to someembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 shows apparatus generally indicated as 10, e.g., including asmart communication device, having a processor 10 a configured to:

-   -   receive signaling containing information about sensed data from        a multiplicity of data collectors D each associated with a        respective piece of equipment E and configured to collect the        sensed data related to the respective piece of equipment E when        the smart communication device 10 is moved within a predefined        proximity to automatically connect or pair with each data        collector D to receive the signaling during movement of the        smart communication device on a programmed route having multiple        pieces of equipment E; and    -   determine corresponding signaling containing information about        sensed data related to each of the multiplicity of data        collectors D for operating an app on the processor 10 a, based        upon the signaling received.

The data collector D may include, or take the form of, the alarm deviceset forth below. The scope of the invention is not intended to belimited to any particular type or kind of data collector D either nowknown or later developed in the future.

The equipment E may include, or take the form of, pumps, planes, trains,windmills, etc., consistent with that set forth herein. The scope of theinvention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kindof equipment E either now known or later developed in the future.

The prioritized sensed data received may contain data or a subset ofdata related to the health or operability of the respective piece ofequipment collected and evaluated by the smart communication device,including some combination of vibration data along one or more X, Y or Zaxes, temperature data, alarm status data, trend data, historical data,time-based data, FFT evaluated data, etc.; and the scope of theinvention is not intended to be limited to the type or kind ofprioritized sensed data that is collected and/or evaluated in relationto the health or operability of the respective piece of equipment by thesmart communication device.

The processor 10 a may be configured to provide the correspondingsignaling in order to run the app on the smart communication device,e.g., which may include generating screens of the smart communicationdevice, information displayed on the screens, updating information inone or more databases stored in the memory of the smart communicationdevice, generating reports created and provided by the app from thesmart communication device, such as route reports related to equipmentin one or more of the programmed routes, etc. In addition, the processor10 a may also be configured to provide the corresponding signaling inthe form of associated signaling that is provided to each data collectoron a respective piece of equipment to adapt or modify the priority ofthe sensed data being sensed by or transmitted from each data collector.

FIG. 3A shows the basic walk-around concept, e.g., for a mobileapplication (aka “app”) configured in such a smart communication device10 moving along the programmed route from point A to point B via a routecheck procedure for collecting and evaluating information aboutequipment distributed over a large area along the programmed route,according to some embodiment of the present invention.

The term “predefined proximity” is understood to mean when the smartcommunication device is moved within a distance so as to enable it toautomatically connect with a particular data collector to receive thesignaling during the walk around on the programmed route, e.g., using awireless technology, e.g., like Bluetooth, for exchanging data overshort distances (e.g., using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISMband from 2.4 to 2.485 GHz) from fixed and mobile devices. The scope ofthe invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type orkind of short distance wireless technology either now known or laterdeveloped in the future.

The processor 10 a may also be configured to implement one or more ofthe features set forth below:

FIG. 3B: Access Screen 20

FIG. 3B shows an access screen 20 for an app, according to someembodiment of the present invention. The processor 10 a may beconfigured to provide suitable signaling in order to display the accessscreen 20, e.g., when running the app on the smart communication device10, consistent with that as follows:

The access screen 20 may include some combination of various icons forimplementing “access” functionality, e.g., including a dashboard icon 20a, a trending icon 20 b, an advanced tools icon 20 c, an equipment infoicon 20 d, a report generator icon 20 e, a route check icon 20 f, a scanfor devices icon 20 g, a help/FAQs icon 20 h and a service location icon20 i.

By way of example, and consistent with that set forth herein, the “RouteCheck” functionality may take the form of a so-called walk-aroundfunction that includes, or may take the form of, component of anexisting app or a standalone app.

The functionality of other icons shown on the access screen 20 is setforth below.

FIG. 3C: Route Screen 30

FIG. 3C shows a route screen 30 for the route check icon 20 f (FIG. 3C)in the app, according to some embodiment of the present invention. Theprocessor 10 a may be configured to provide suitable signaling in orderto display the access screen 30, e.g., when running the app on the smartcommunication device 10, consistent with that as follows:

The route screen 30 may include some combination of various icons forimplementing “routing” or “route checking” functionality for one or moreprogrammed routes, e.g., including a compressor room icon 20 f 1, afoundry icon 20 f 2, a cooling pump icon 20 f 3, and a Monday icon 20 f4. By way of example, the programmed routes may be based upon the rooms,the type of equipment, the day of a week or month, etc.

By way of further example, the route screen 30 may be configured to listall of the programmed routes 20 f 1, 20 f 2, 20 f 3, 20 f 4 available tothe smart communication device 10, provide a summary of informationabout the programmed routes, and provide programmed route editingfunctionality.

In particular, and by way of example, the summary of information aboutthe programmed routes may include, e.g., providing the user a completion%; alarm information sensed or gathered during the programmed route; theability to add or program a new route; the ability to search theprogrammed routes, such as for a specific programmed route or a specifictype of machine or piece of equipment.

The route editing functionality may include allowing the user to importand store an existing route and settings from an email, a server, oranother device as a programmed route, create a new programmed route onthe device, and/or edit an existing programmed route, etc.

FIG. 3D: Add New Route Screen 40

FIG. 3D shows an add new route screen 40 that may form part of the routescreen 30 (FIG. 3C), or that may form part of a separate icon on theaccess screen 20 (FIG. 3B) in the app, according to some embodiment ofthe present invention. The processor 10 a may be configured to providesuitable signaling in order to display the add new route screen 40,e.g., when running the app on the smart communication device 10,consistent with that as follows:

The add new route screen 40 may include a prompt 40 a for adding a newroute by tapping on “OK”, e.g., including where the adding new routefunctionality will request the user to provide the name of the newroute, and to select devices in a desired order and tap done.

In particular, and by way of example, the user may be prompted to add aname of the route, add machines/equipment to the new route, order themachines/equipment within the new route, provide the ability to label(tag) the location of a device/machine/equipment, and provide aconfirmation that a new route has been created, which will add the newroute to “Route Screen”.30 (FIG. 3C).

By way of example, the “add machines to route” functionality may bebased upon devices/equipment in current proximity, devices/equipment ina past history of routes and/or devices/equipment as emailed or othercommunications to the smart communication device 10.

By way of example, the “order machines within the route” functionalitymay provide the user the ability to identify missed machines/equipment.

By way of example, the “ability to label (tag) the location of a device”functionality may be set by the user to provide the app the ability togive instructions for a person to find a machine/equipment on the route.

FIG. 3E: Route Options/Settings Screen 50

FIG. 3E shows a route options/settings screen 50 that may form part ofthe route screen 30 (FIG. 3C), or that may form part of a separate iconon the access screen 20 (FIG. 3B) in the app, according to someembodiment of the present invention. The processor 10 a may also beconfigured to provide suitable signaling in order to display the routeoptions/settings screen 50, e.g., when running the app on the smartcommunication device 10, consistent with that as follows:

By way of example, the route options/settings screen 50 may includeemail functionality indicated by a function bar 50 a, periodfunctionality indicated by a function bar 50 b and/or check duenotifications indicated by a function bar 50 c.

By way of example, the email functionality 50 a may include an ON/OFFicon/prompt 50 a 1 to send a report when complete and an enter emailaddress icon/prompt 50 a 2 to provide an email to which the report willbe sent. For example, when the ON/OFF icon/prompt 50 a 1 is turned ON,then a report can be sent when completed. In contrast, when the ON/OFFicon/prompt 50 a 1 is turned OFF, then a report will not be sent.

By way of example, the period functionality 50 b may include icons fortapping to make a selection for a “weekly”, “monthly” or “bi-monthly”period 50 b 1; an ON/OFF icon/prompt 50 b 2 to “begin today”; and anON/OFF icon/prompt 50 b 3 re providing a “due date from last check”.

By way of example, the “check due notifications” functionality 50 c mayinclude +/− icons re providing a “due date warning” in relation to a 24hour period; and an ON/OFF icon re providing a “missing device warning”For example, tapping the “−” icon will reduce the “due date warning” inrelation to the 24 hour period, and tapping the “+” icon will increasethe “due date warning” in relation to the 24 hour period.

In particular, and by way of further example, the route options/settingsscreen 50 provides the user with the ability to set what information isto be collected by the app; set how information will be displayed to auser performing the route; set an email or storage destination whereinformation is to be sent; set the period between checks or calendardates (when the route is to be performed); set a time that if passed, analert will be sent to perform the route; set a “Missed Device Warning”alert to prompt the user if a connection was missed; set the level ofuser interactivity with the data; and/or set the type of data to becollected.

By way of example, the “set email or storage destination whereinformation is to be sent” functionality may include allowing the userto set the email address and storage destination where the data andreports will be sent.

By way of example, the “set the period between checks or calendar dates(when the route is to be performed)” functionality may include allowingthe user to set a calendar date for route from a current time, or ascheduled time; and set a period to run—weekly, monthly, bi-monthly,etc.

By way of example, the “time is passed” functionality may includeallowing the user to set the alerts as texts, or emails, or appmessages, etc.

By way of example, the ‘Missed Device Warning’ to prompt the user if aconnection was missed” functionality may include prompting the user,e.g., if information was received out of order from route order, or ifinformation was not received in time period from starting route.

By way of example, the “set the level of user interactivity with thedata” functionality may include the providing the user the ability toset to see data as collected, or data only of alarm equipment, or onlythe completion of collecting target relevant data.

By way of example, the “set the type of data to be collected”functionality may include providing the user the ability to set the typeof data to be collected, e.g., including the following

-   -   Broadcast data—Data that the collection device emits in an        advertising packet and is able to be collected without a paired        radio connection;    -   Connection data, e.g., such as the Data type, Raw data, or        Analyzed data (multiple possible), like FFT, RMS (Root Mean        Square), Kurtosis, as well as many more types of connection data        either now known or later developed in the future that can be        used and added in the other embodiments with more sensors;        and/or    -   Time-based data, e.g., such as Historical like D/L historical        data tailored to a desired analysis level, or immediate data by        executing a command for data acquisition and analysis upon        proximity.

FIG. 3F: Walk-Around Screen 60

FIG. 3F shows a walk-around screen generally indicated as 60, e.g., forthe app for checking specific routes, e.g., like the cooling pump route20 f 3 (FIG. 3C) identified on the route screen 30 (FIG. 3C), accordingto some embodiment of the present invention. The processor 10 a may beconfigured to provide suitable signaling in order to display thewalk-around screen 60, e.g., when running the app on the smartcommunication device 10, consistent with that as follows:

For example, if the user taps the route check icon 20 f (FIG. 3B), andtaps the cooling pumps icon 20 f 3 (FIG. 3C), then the walk-aroundscreen 60 will display, and take the form of, a route check screen 60(1)providing functionality for checking a specific route for the coolingpumps listed, e.g., cooling pump P-102, CP-114, P-101 and BERTHA. By wayof further example, alternatively if the user taps the route check icon20 f (FIG. 3B), and taps the foundry icon 20 f 2 (FIG. 3C), then thewalk-around screen 60 will display, and take the form of, a route checkfoundry screen (not shown) providing functionality for checking thespecific route for the foundry. Similarly, the walk-around screen 60would show or display associated functionality in relation to either thecompressor room if the user tapped the compressor room icon 20 f 1, orif the user tapped the Monday icon 20 f 4.

The route check screen 60(1) may include a device in alarm function bar60 a and an Alert devices in route function bar 60 b identifyingassociated functionality related to the same. The Alert devices in routefunction bar 60 b includes a “+” icon that if tapped allows the user toadd an Alert device associated with a piece of equipment on the route.Consistent with that set forth below, a so-called “Alert device” isunderstood herein to include an alarm device that is configured tomonitor equipment, e.g., including industrial, commercial or residentialequipment, such as pumps, compressors, etc.

By way of example, the device in alarm function bar 60 a may includeindications 60 a 1 containing information about a ratio related to thenumber of cooling pumps currently in alarm, e.g. 1/4 of the coolingpumps, as shown in FIG. 3F, and also containing information about aratio related to the number of cooling pumps previously in alarm, e.g.0/4 of the cooling pumps, as shown in FIG. 3F. In effect, the routebeing checked includes four (4) cooling pumps, one of the four (4)cooling pumps is currently in an alarm, and none of the four (4) coolingpumps was previously in an alarm.

By way of example, the Alert devices in route function bar 60 b mayinclude a “P-102” vibration alarm icon 60 b 1 related to a designated“P-102” Alert vibration alarm device associated with a piece ofequipment on the route, a “CP-114” alarm device icon 60 b 2 related to adesignated “CP-114” Alert device associated with a piece of equipment onthe route, a “P-101” alarm device icon 60 b 3 related to a designated“P-104” Alert device associated with a piece of equipment on the route,and a “BERTHA” alarm device icon 60 b 4 related to a designated “BERTHA”Alert device associated with a piece of equipment on the route. Theaforementioned Alert designations are provided by way of visual example,and are associated with different types or kinds of alarm devices thatmay be used; However, the scope of the invention is not intended to belimited to any particular type or kind of alarm device that is eithernow known or later developed in the future.

In addition, the “P-102” vibration alarm icon 60 b 1 may include a trendindication 60 b 1′ and an FFT indication 60 b 1″. In operation, if theuser taps on the “P-102” vibration alarm icon 60 b 1, then the app willprovide information about the trend of the “P-102” vibration alarm, andalso information about the FFT related to the “P-102” vibration alarm.The user can use this information to assess the health of the equipmentthat the “P-102” vibration alarm is monitoring. Similarly, the “CP-114”vibration alarm icon 60 b 2 may include similar trend and FFTindications (unlabeled), but shown.

In effect, the walk-around screen 60 is intended as the primary viewwhen performing the route (aka walking around). The walk-around screen60 includes a route tag name at the top thereof, which is clearlyidentified as the “Route Check Cooling Pumps” associated with thecooling pumps icon 20 f 3 (FIG. 3C). The walk-around screen 60 isconfigured to provide the Route Settings, e.g., so that the user mayimplement a surface scan and have the ability to connect and analyzewithout automatic connection. Alternatively, the screen 70 may providethe user with a percent compete of an automatic connection to let theuser know the automatic connection is being tried. The walk-aroundscreen 60 may be configured to display summary route informationcompared with previous route, e.g., including information about eithercurrent devices in alarm vs. previous, or average temperature now vs.previous.

By way of further example, the app may be configured so that, after thesmart communication device is picked up, hotkeys are displayed todownload the trends or get new FFT appear for quick access, orautomatically download data. A report button can send route data orsummary report via email or server upload, e.g., including where theroute data or summary report can be completed after or during a route. Anew device can be added at any time. Route order can be edited in thewalk-around screen 70. The status of route data may be displayed, e.g.,where the color red may be used to indicate that a route is notcomplete. The status of data available to view may be displayed, e.g.,including where a greyed trend may be used to indicate that a connectionis required. The walk-around screen 70 may be configured so that, whendata is downloaded, it can be viewed by tapping key with its name.

FIG. 3G: Report Page Screen 70

FIG. 3G shows a report page screen 70 for the app, according to someembodiment of the present invention. The processor 10 a may also beconfigured to display the report page screen 70, e.g., when running theapp on the smart communication device 10, consistent with that asfollows:

By way of example, the report page screen 70 may include a function barcontaining information about a route summary preview, including thecooling pumps, the date/time (e.g., 23 Jul. 2015, at 13:15), a periodalarm indication of weekly alarms (see the icon 50 b 1 (FIG. 3E) forsetting the period) with a “1/4” alarm indication/reading.

By way of example, the report page screen 70 may include a route reporticon 70 a 1 for the “P-102” vibration alarm; a route report icon 70 a 2for the “CP-114” alarm device icon 60 b 2; a route report icon 70 a 3for the “P-101” alarm device and a route report icon 70 a 4 for the“BERTHA” alarm device, e.g., each having respective indications thatprovide information contained in the report, e.g., including vibrationor temperature alarm status Y/N; VRMS readings and threshold settings inrelation to radial, axial, horizontal and temperature parameters. Theroute report icon may be colored in whole or in part, e.g., red toindicate an alarm condition, or green to indicate no alarm condition(other color schemes may also be used).

In operation, based upon the settings and connected devices, the usercan generate a report. The user can email or upload the report and data.The report can show any type of data display as set and collected by theuser, e.g., if no Trend/FFT were collected, this would be the entiretyof the a walk around report. The report can show any type of sensor(vibration (vib), temperature (temp)) or metadata collected off thedevice (Alarms, timestamp, GPS at collection, etc.).

The Processor 10 a

The processor 10 a performs the basic signal processing functionality ofthe apparatus for implementing the present invention. The processor 10 amay be a stand alone signal processing module, form part of acontroller, controller module, etc., or form part of some other moduleof the apparatus 10. Many different types and kind of processors areknown in the art. By way of example, based on an understanding of suchknown signal processing modules, a person skilled in the art would beable to configure the processor 10 a to perform the functionalityconsistent with that described herein, e.g., including to receive thesignaling containing information about sensed data from a multiplicityof data collectors each associated with a respective piece of equipmenton a programmed route and configured to collect the sensed data relatedto the respective piece of equipment when the apparatus is moved withinthe predefined proximity to automatically connect with each datacollector to receive the signaling during movement of the smartcommunication device on the programmed route; and to determinecorresponding signaling containing information about sensed data relatedto each of the multiplicity of data collectors for operating an app inthe processor, based upon the signaling received.

By way of still further example, the functionality of the processor 10 amay be implemented, e.g., as a signal processor or as a signalprocessing module using hardware, software, firmware, or a combinationthereof, although the scope of the invention is not intended to belimited to any particular embodiment thereof. In a typical softwareimplementation, such a module would be one or more microprocessor-basedarchitectures having a microprocessor, a random access memory (RAM), aread only memory (ROM), input/output devices and control, data andaddress buses connecting the same. A person skilled in the art would beable to program such a microprocessor-based implementation to performthe functionality described herein without undue experimentation. Thescope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particularimplementation using technology known or later developed in the future.

The processor, controller or controller module may include othermodules, components or circuitry 10 b to perform other functionalitythat is known in the art, that does not form part of the underlyinginvention, and that is not described in detail herein, e.g., includinginput/output modules, one or more memory modules, data, address andcontrol busing architecture, etc.

The Implementation of the Icons and Screens

The implementation of the icons and screens set forth herein is by wayof example. Embodiments are envisioned, and the scope of the inventionis intended to include, using other types and kinds of icons and otherassociate icon functionality either now known or later developed in thefuture. Furthermore, embodiments are also envisioned, and the scope ofthe invention is intended to include, using other types and kinds ofscreen and other associated screen functionality either now known orlater developed in the future. Furthermore, embodiments are alsoenvisioned, and the scope of the invention is intended to include, usingother types and kinds of interfaces and other associated interfacefunctionality either now known or later developed in the future. Ineffect, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to theimplementation of the specific icons and screens set forth herein.

Analytic Techniques

The analytic techniques set forth herein are by way of example,including RMS, FFT, status, etc. Moreover, embodiments are envisioned,and the scope of the invention is intended to include, using other typesand kinds of analytic techniques and other associated analyticfunctionality either now known or later developed in the future. Ineffect, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific analytic techniques set forth herein.

Alert Device

As stated above, an “Alert device” may take the form of an alarm deviceconfigured to monitor equipment, e.g., including industrial, commercialor residential equipment, such as pumps, compressors, etc.

The assignee of the present invention manufactures a family of suchalarm device, e.g., known as an iAlert™ device. By way of example, thefamily of such alarm device is intended to include that disclosed in thefollowing:

-   -   Patent application Ser. No. 14/685,134, filed 13 Apr. 2015,        entitled “Sensing module for monitoring conditions of a pump or        pump assembly,” having docket no. 911-002.071/F-GI-1501US;    -   Patent application Ser. No. 29/516,282, filed 30 Jan. 2015,        entitled “Mounting bracket and a combination of a mounting        bracket and a sensing module,” having docket no.        911-002.070/F-GI-1502US;    -   Patent application Ser. No. 29/516,277, filed 30 Jan. 2015,        entitled “Sensing module,” having docket no.        911-002.069/F-GI-1501US;    -   Patent application Ser. No. 14/681,577, filed 8 Apr. 2015,        entitled “Nodal dynamic data acquisition and dissemination        device,” having docket no. 911-002.067/F-GI-1401US;    -   Patent application Ser. No. 12/240,287, filed 29 Sep. 2008,        entitled “Compact self-contained condition monitoring device,”        which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,154,417 on 10 Apr. 2012, having        docket no. 911-002.030/07GI006US; as well as    -   Patent application Ser. No. 29/292,324, filed 5 Oct. 2007,        entitled “Compact self-contained condition monitoring device,”        which issued as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 586,670 on 17 Feb. 2009,        having docket no. 911-002.031/07GI006D.

All of the aforementioned patents and patent applications areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of thefeatures, characteristics, alternatives or modifications describedregarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, orincorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, thedrawings herein are not drawn to scale.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various otheradditions and omissions may be made therein and thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. Apparatus comprising: a smart communication device having a processorconfigured to: receive signaling containing information about senseddata from a multiplicity of data collectors each associated with arespective piece of equipment and configured to collect the sensed datarelated to the respective piece of equipment when the smartcommunication device is moved within predefined proximity toautomatically connect with each data collector to receive the signalingduring movement of the smart communication device on a programmed routehaving multiple pieces of equipment; and determine correspondingsignaling containing information about sensed data related to each ofthe multiplicity of data collectors for operating an app in theprocessor, based upon the signaling received.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the smart communication device is a smart tablet, asmart phone, a laptop or a subsystem of a vehicle, or a subsystem of arobot.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatuscomprises, or takes the form of, a robotic device configured to movefrom equipment-to-equipment on the programmed route to gather the senseddata, including where the robotic device is a human-controlled robot ordrone.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to automatically pair with each data collector to receive thesignaling during the movement of the smart communication device on theprogrammed route, including by implementing a short distance wirelesscommunication protocol.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesensed data includes some combination of surface data in the form ofadvertised packets, historical data in the form of trend or regularlyscheduled Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs), or immediate data needs of aparticipant.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to determine if the respective piece of equipment is running,and if so, then perform analytics such as RMS or an FFT to be used in adiagnostic evaluation.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured to capture surface data, and if the respectivepiece of equipment is in an alarm state, then connect for historical(trend) data or immediate analytics.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to communicate with a respectivedata collector associated with a respective piece of equipment toidentify relevant data to upload to the smart communication device,provide data requests and update the respective data collectorassociated with the respective piece of equipment for relevant data forwhich to look.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processoris configured to provide associated signaling to communicate with arespective data collector associated with a respective piece ofequipment to identify any respective data collector associated with anyrespective piece of equipment in need of pairing or that may have beenskipped from a region of the movement of the smart communication deviceon the programmed route.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured to prioritize download functionality so that themost relevant data arrives at the smart communication device thefastest, organizes download functionality from different equipment,organizes the priority of information from each data collector, andoptimizes download functionality for receiving the most data in theleast amount of time.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thesmart communication device comprises a screen; and the processor isconfigured to perform signaling processing functionality associated withthe signaling received and determined for displaying information on thescreen as part of the app for running or operating on the smartcommunication device.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein theapp includes displaying a route check screen for allowing a user tocheck one of the programmed routes, including providing a list of allprogrammed routes available, a summary of information about theprogrammed routes, or an editing of a pre-existing programmed route. 13.Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the summary of informationabout the programmed routes includes an indication of a completionpercentage (%), alarm information during a particular route, the abilityto add or program a new route, or the ability to search for a specificprogrammed route or piece of equipment.
 14. Apparatus according to claim11, wherein the app includes displaying an add new route screen forallowing a user to add a new route having new pieces of equipment,including providing one or more prompts requesting a new route name anda desired order of equipment on the new route.
 15. Apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein the app includes displaying a route options screenfor allowing a user to provide a report related to one or moreprogrammed routes, a period for checking the one or more programmedroutes, and a check due notification warning related to one or moreprogrammed routes.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the appincludes displaying a route check screen for allowing a user to check aspecific route, including providing information about devices in analarm condition on the specific route and about alert devices on thespecific route.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the appincludes displaying a route report screen for allowing a user togenerate a route report for a specific route, including providinginformation about devices in an alarm condition on the specific routeand about alert devices on the specific route.
 18. A method for runningan app on a smart communication device having a processor and a memoryfor storing a database, comprising: receiving in the processor signalingcontaining information about sensed data from a multiplicity of datacollectors each associated with a respective piece of equipment storedin a programmed route in the database of the memory and configured tocollect the sensed data related to the respective piece of equipmentwhen the smart communication device is moved within a predefinedproximity to automatically connect or pair with each data collector toreceive the signaling during movement of the smart communication deviceon the programmed route having multiple pieces of equipment distributedover a vast industrial, commercial, or residential space; anddetermining with the processor corresponding signaling containinginformation about the sensed data related to each of the multiplicity ofdata collectors on the programmed route, based upon the signalingreceived.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the methodcomprising using as the smart communication device a smart tablet, asmart phone, a laptop or a subsystem of a vehicle/robot.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the method comprising configuring thesmart communication device in an a robotic device programmed to movefrom equipment-to-equipment on the programmed route to gather the senseddata, including where the robotic device is a human-controlled robot ordrone.